High efficiency processes and inventions for producing continuing work from transient liquid pressures in a confined liquid

ABSTRACT

High work/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency processes and inventions for producing continuing work from confined liquid transient pressures in a pressure conduit. More particularly work processes and inventions that conserve liquid and increase and maintain the amount of continuing work done by transient pressures produced in a liquid within a confined pressure system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit ofProvisional Patent Application No. 61/284,632 filed by Ronald KurtChristensen, inventor, on Dec. 21, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

Devices that use repeating transient confined liquid pressures (such aswater hammer pressures) to do work (as defined in physics and having thesame measurement units as energy—termed herein and throughout simply as“work”) have been in existence for over two centuries. The first appearto have been water hammer type pumps, known as ram pumps, that pump aportion of the water entering the pump to a higher elevation using theliquid transient pressures created within the pump. Well designed rampumps can operate at energy efficiencies of up to 85 percent, but onlyin limited applications where conditions of water flow and upstreamwater fall or head and downstream water lift are in suitableproportions. More typical energy efficiencies are about 60 percent.Further, ram pumps operate in rather limited circumstances and typicallyhave a substantial waste flow component typically pumping only 10 to 25percent of the water which enters the pumps and releasing the remaining75 to 90 percent of the water to waste. Thus, ram pumps are notoriouslyinefficient in terms of the volume or flow of water needed for theiroperation in relation to the volume or flow of water actually pumped.Therefore, ram pumps are rarely used for pumping liquids other thanwater.

Other known devices of various descriptions use repeating transientconfined liquid pressures to do other forms of work, but do notincorporate the liquid, thermal or heat, and work efficiencyimprovements claimed herein. Recent research accomplished in thedevelopment of the processes and inventions claimed herein hasdetermined that continuing and greater confined liquid transientpressure work process production and efficiency can be achieved when thetemperature or heat content of the liquid used is maintained or restoredto a consistent and efficient temperature range as determined by thetemperature and heat content of the heat source, the surroundings, andthe thermal properties of the liquid used.

The claims 1 and 2 processes herein improve the work/energy and liquidefficiency of transient confined liquid pressure work processes throughreturn of the liquid to the source (the liquid return component) coupledwith liquid temperature and heat restoration or adjustment andmaintenance (the temperature and heat maintenance component).Accordingly, the processes provide efficiency improvements that achievegreater liquid conservation, thermal efficiency, work production andefficiency, and continuing work done.

The claims 3 through 10 processes and inventions herein also includehigher efficiency work processes and inventions that can be used for thetransient confined liquid pressure drive process component of claims 1and 2. Claims 3 through 6 processes and inventions, that can be improvedby claims 7 through 10 processes and inventions, involve process andinvention modifications and adaptations of a typical ram pump system togeneral confined liquid work processes for efficiently doing any type ofwork. The pumping portion of a typical ram pump system is replaced byeither a “ram piston” or a “ram turbine” device. Either device canefficiently drive (drive meaning herein and throughout to operate, push,pull, compress, expand, impel, propel, thrust, move, or otherwise dowork on) any device/thing (device/thing meaning herein and throughoutany machine, tool, mechanism, apparatus, appliance, contrivance,contraption, gadget, piece of equipment, or the like, or any thing,object, mass, material, substance, body of mass, material, or substance,or the like) connected directly or indirectly to it and can be adaptedto be operated and driven by repeating confined liquid transientpressures produced by most any means. The “ram piston” or “ram turbine”work processes and inventions thus have additional and generalapplication because the “ram piston” or “ram turbine” inventions andprocesses can be incorporated into any claim 1 process, claim 2 process,or any other similar confined liquid transient pressure process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

It is the object of the claimed processes and inventions to provide highwork/energy efficiency and liquid efficiency processes and inventionsfor doing work from liquid pressure transients produced within aconfined and pressurized liquid system. The processes may include liquidreuse and conservation while achieving greater and continuing work fromliquid high or low pressure transients through regeneratively adjusting,restoring and maintaining a consistent range of temperature and heatcontent of the liquid used. It is further the object of the claimedprocesses and inventions to include process configurations andinventions that can be used generally and for the transient pressuredrive device component of the claims 1 and 2 work processes herein thatincrease the work/energy production and efficiency of a confined liquidtransient pressure drive process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the components of the high efficiencyconfined liquid transient pressure work processes of claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 shows side view diagram examples of the claims 3 and 4 highefficiency “ram piston” processes and inventions that also shows theclaim 7 close proximity higher efficiency construction for the “rampiston.”

FIG. 3 shows side view diagram examples of the claims 5 and 6 highefficiency “ram turbine” processes and inventions that also shows theclaim 7 close proximity higher efficiency construction for the “ramturbine.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESSES AND INVENTIONS

The processes and inventions relate to high work/energy efficiency andliquid efficiency process improvements, machinery constructions, andoperation processes for doing efficient continuing work from repeatingtransient high or low liquid pressures in a confined conduit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high efficiency confined liquid transientpressure work/energy process of claim 1 consists of seven processcomponents whereby any liquid from a liquid source (10) (the liquidsource component) is released or pumped into a pressure drive conduit,or source conveyance component (11) and the confined flowing liquid isconveyed at a velocity in the pressure drive conduit/source conveyancecomponent (11) to a downstream transient pressure drive device component(15). The liquid flow enters and passes through the transient pressuredrive device component (15) consisting of any configuration andconstruction that repeatedly produces liquid transient high or lowpressures in the liquid flow and causes the transient pressures to driveany device/thing (the device/thing component (16)) directly orindirectly connected in any manner (17) to the transient pressure drivedevice component (15). The transient pressure drive device component(15) produces the liquid transient high or low pressures by repeatedlystopping, substantially slowing, turning, or partially obstructing theliquid flow in any manner. Liquid flowing through and exiting thetransient pressure drive device (15) is thereafter conveyed to an activeor passive temperature and heat maintenance component (13) by any means,which means comprises the outflow conveyance component (14). The liquidflow is then returned to the liquid source (10) or directly to thepressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) by any means,which means comprises the liquid return component (12).

The temperature and heat maintenance process component (13) functions torestore and maintain from the surroundings or otherwise a consistentrange of temperature and heat content of the liquid to achievecontinuing and efficient work/energy production from the transientpressure drive device component (15). Process components 10 through 15may be constructed and/or operated for temperature and heat restorationand maintenance from the surroundings so that a separate temperature andheat maintenance component (13) may not be required in some applicationsif sufficient temperature and heat maintenance is achieved by the othercomponents (10, 11, 15, 14, 12) for consistent, efficient, andcontinuing operation. However, the claimed process requires thatsufficient active or passive temperature maintenance must beaccomplished in the process components as a whole (10 through 15) torestore and maintain consistent efficient work producing liquidtemperatures and heat content as the liquid returns and flows into thepressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and transientpressure drive device (15) components to be caused to do work on thedriven device/thing component (16).

Further, the liquid return component (12) may be omitted for fewerprocess components if liquid conservation is not needed in a particularapplication. The claimed process reduces in that case to liquid flowfrom the liquid source component (10) being conveyed at a velocity in apressure conduit/source conveyance component (11) to the transientpressure drive device component (15) for doing work on the device/thingcomponent (16); and thereafter, liquid flow being conveyed as neededthrough the outflow conveyance component (14) to the temperature andheat maintenance component (13) followed by being released to waste fromthe process rather than being returned to the liquid source (10).

FIG. 1 also illustrates the higher work/energy efficiency and liquidefficiency continuing work process of claim 2 wherein the liquid flowvolume within a transient pressure producing cycle is minimized forachieving minimum energy loss while doing the useful work desired. Thework efficiency is a function of the amount of work/energy expendedversus the amount of work done on the device/thing (16). The energyexpended is directly related to the volume of liquid flow that passesthrough the transient pressure drive component (15) from the time theflow first starts (or first begins to increase) in the pressure drivecomponent (15) from the liquid source (10) and through the pressuredrive conduit/source conveyance component (11) to the time the flow isstopped (or slowed) by the transient pressure drive device (15) toproduce high transient pressures. The velocity of that flow increasesnear asymptotically toward the steady state velocity. At first the flowvelocity through the transient pressure drive device (15) increasesrapidly to near the steady state velocity with the remaining velocityincrease toward the steady state velocity occurring more gradually overa comparative much longer period of time. Meanwhile, energy is expendedto cause the liquid flow from the liquid source (10) through thepressure drive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and thetransient pressure drive device (15). Since the magnitude of a transientpressure resulting from the stopping (or slowing) of a liquid by thetransient pressure drive device (15) depends on the magnitude of theliquid flow velocity through the device (15), the greatest transientpressure work process efficiency is achieved if the flow is stopped (orslowed) by the transient pressure drive device (15) after the rapidincrease in velocity while flow volume through the transient pressuredrive device (15) is low compared to the flow velocity that is reached.Allowing the flow through the transient pressure drive device (15) tocontinue thereafter decreases work efficiency because the flowing liquidexpends energy while achieving little comparative gain in the amount ofwork that can be done by transient pressures and the transient pressuredrive device (15) when the liquid flow is stopped (or slowed).

The claim 2 work process entails the coordination of the hydraulics,design, and operations of the liquid source (10), the pressure driveconduit/source conveyance (11), and transient pressure drive device (15)components to minimize the liquid flow volume flowing in the pressuredrive conduit/source conveyance component (11) and through the pressuredrive device component (15) during a transient pressure producing cyclewhile attaining a maximum flow velocity within an optimum range forproducing the liquid pressure transients within the two components (11and 15) that optimum range being the velocity range wherein any lowermaximum velocity or any higher maximum velocity appreciably reduces thework/energy efficiency of the transient pressure drive device component(15) in doing work on the device/thing component (16) from that workefficiency achieved by the transient pressure drive device component(15) when maximum flow velocity is within the optimum range. The processthus results in optimum useful work to being done by the pressure drivedevice (15) at an optimally minimized energy and liquid loss from theflow of the liquid through the pressure drive conduit/source conveyancecomponent (11) and the transient pressure drive device component (15).The optimum work/energy and liquid efficiency range can be found for anysystem through testing, and can be estimated through computations of thecycle work done versus the cycle flow volume and cycle energy used(energy lost) in reaching various pressure drive conduit maximum flowvelocities.

The process work/energy efficiency is computed by dividing the work doneby the transient pressure drive device (15) on the device/thingcomponent (16) by the overall energy lost from the release of liquidfrom the liquid source component (10) through the pressure driveconduit/source conveyance component (11) and through the transientpressure drive device (15) into the outflow conveyance component (14).For a return system, the energy used or lost (such as friction loss) inpassing the liquid through the outflow conveyance component (14), thetemperature and heat maintenance component (13), and returning theliquid through the liquid return component (12) must also be included inthe energy used or lost.

The process liquid efficiency is evaluated by dividing the volume ofliquid that is returned by the return component (12) to the liquidsource component (10) during any selected period of time by the volumeof liquid that is supplied from the liquid source component (10) duringthe same period of time.

FIG. 2( a) is a diagram of a typical ram pump system modified andadapted for the higher efficiency “ram piston” invention and process ofclaim 3 consisting of a liquid source component (10); a pressure driveconduit component (11); a transient pressure drive device component (15of FIG. 1) consisting of a “ram piston” drive unit (15 a) and atransient pressure producing outflow valve unit (15 b); and a liquidoutflow conveyance component (14). The outflow valve unit (15 b) isopened causing liquid to flow from the liquid source component (10)through the pressure drive conduit component (11), the outflow valve (15b), either discharging directly to the surroundings through the outflowvalve (15 b), or discharging into the liquid outflow conveyancecomponent (14). The liquid flow velocity increases in the pressure driveconduit component (11) and the outflow valve (15 b) until the force ofthe flow through the outflow valve (15 b) causes the outflow valve (15b) to quickly close. The sudden closing of the outflow valve (15 b)causes high liquid transients in the pressure drive conduit (11) thatdrives the “ram piston” of the “ram piston” drive unit (15 a) outwardand away from the pressure drive conduit (11), which in turn drives, anddoes work upon, any device/thing (not shown) connected directly orindirectly to the drive unit (15 a). The “ram piston” of the “rampiston” drive unit (15 a) is returned to its original position (FIG. 2(b)) by gravity, mechanical, or other means.

In more detail, FIGS. 2( b) and 2(c) are diagrams of the claim 3 higherefficiency “ram piston” drive unit (15 a) invention and process. Apiston (300) and piston rod (301) is mounted in a cylinder (302)connected to the flow path (305) and pressure drive conduit (11). Thecylinder (302) is constructed so as to have low, or atmospheric,pressure on the opposite side of the piston (300) from the pressuredrive conduit (11) and the piston (300) has seals (304) which contactthe cylinder wall (302) and prevent leakage of liquid from the pressuredrive conduit (11) past the piston (300) to its low pressure side. InFIG. 2( b), the piston (300) is positioned such that at the timetransient pressure is produced in the pressure drive conduit (11). Asper claim 7, the piston is most efficient when it is in close proximityand adjacent to the pressure drive conduit liquid flow path (305) asshown. As transient pressure is produced by the closing of the outflowvalve (15 b of FIG. 2( a)) and thereby stopping the liquid flow, thetransient pressure pushes the piston (300) and piston rod (301) outwardand away from the pressure drive conduit (11) within the cylinder (302)toward its low pressure side as shown in FIG. 2( c) driving and doingwork upon any device/thing directly or indirectly driven by it (notshown). As the transient pressures end, the piston (300) is returned bygravity, mechanical, or other means to its original position (FIG. 2(b)) near the pressure drive conduit (11) so that the piston (300) isready to be again driven by the next transient pressure produced.

The liquid that enters the cylinder (302 of FIG. 2( c)) is pushed backout of the cylinder (302) by the returning piston (300) and back up thepressure drive conduit (11) into the liquid source (10). As the pistonstops pushing the liquid backwards back up the pressure drive conduit(11) and back to the liquid source (10), the momentum of the backwardliquid flow relieves the pressure against the outflow valve (15 b) andit reopens starting the cycle again.

Or, alternatively, the piston (300) can be stopped by any means whilethe liquid that is entering the cylinder (302) from the pressure driveconduit (11) as the piston (300) moves away from the pressure driveconduit (11) has sufficient remaining momentum to cause a secondpressure transient in the cycle. That second pressure transient travelsback up the pressure drive conduit (11 of FIG. 2( a)) to the liquidsource and causes a backward flow in the pressure conduit (11) to theliquid source. The momentum of the backward flow relieves the pressureagainst the outflow valve (15 b) so that the outflow valve (15 b)reopens and starts the cycle again.

If desired, the “ram piston” process and invention (FIG. 2) can beincorporated into the claims 1 and 2 processes by coupling the processand invention with the temperature and heat maintenance device component(13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 of FIG. 1) for restoring andmaintaining the liquid thermal properties and attaining the greatestliquid efficiency while maintaining continuing work and energyefficiency.

A further modification of the FIG. 2 “ram piston” invention and processas described in claim 4 makes possible the use of the “ram piston” driveunit (15 a) with any transient pressure producing valve or device (15 b)such as any quick operating mechanically or electrically operated valveor other quick moving valves or devices that produce repeating andcyclic transient pressures. In this process, the work load of thedevice/thing (not shown) directly or indirectly driven by the piston(300) and piston rod (301) is maximized and matched with the piston(300) travel distance within the cylinder (the piston stroke or thedistance the piston (300) travels between the piston positions in FIGS.2( b) and 2(c)) to produce maximum work while requiring minimum piston(300) travel distance (the piston (300) movement distructance betweenpositions FIG. 2( b) and FIG. 2( c)) and expulsion of liquid back out ofthe cylinder (302) during the return stroke of the piston (300) as itreturns to its original position (FIG. 2( b). Minimizing the amount ofliquid that needs to be expelled from the piston cylinder (302) backinto the pressure drive conduit (11) and pressure drive conduit flowpath (305) on the return stroke by maximizing the device/thing work load(not shown) increases energy and liquid efficiencies. It does so byreducing and minimizing the volume of flow required to reach the desiredflow velocity for producing the next set of pressure transients in thenext cycle. Finally, if desired, the claim 4 further modification of the“ram piston” invention and process can be included in the claims 1 and 2processes by adding the temperature and heat maintenance devicecomponent (13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 of FIG. 1) forrestoring and maintaining the liquid thermal properties and attainingthe greatest work/energy and liquid efficiencies.

FIG. 3( a) is a diagram of the claim 5 “ram turbine” invention andprocess that can be part of the transient liquid pressure drive processcomponent (15 of FIG. 1) and can also function in the processes ofclaims 3 and 4 in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15 a of FIG. 2)as described here. An enclosed vane-type turbine (500) is optimallymounted in close proximity and adjacent to the pressure drive conduit(11) flow path (507) (as per claim 7) and sealed against the sealedhousing (501) such that leakage of liquid past or through the turbine(500) and turbine (502) is prevented. As transient pressures arerepeatedly and cyclically produced in the pressure drive conduit (11) bystopping or substantially slowing the liquid flow, the transientpressure pushes one or more of the turbine vanes (502) away from thepressure drive conduit flow path (507) thereby turning the turbine (500)and drive shaft (503) doing work on any device/thing driven by the driveshaft (503) while expelling liquid under lower pressure through anoptional outlet (505) and outlet check valve (504) connected to thedownstream or low pressure side of the turbine housing (501). The liquidis expelled through the optional check valve (504) and outlet (505) asthe turbine turns and the vanes retract (508) within or bend downagainst the turbine body (500) to fit within and seal against the sealedturbine housing (501). Each retracted or bent over vane (508) remainsretracted within or bent against the turbine body (500) until it hasrotated around to the pressure drive conduit (11) side of the turbinewhere the vane (502) is caused any means to again extend out and awayfrom the turbine body (500) to be ready to be driven by the nexttransient pressure.

As the transient pressures become sufficiently dissipated by doing workpushing the turbine vanes (502), the optional outlet check valve (504)(which may be set or designed if desired to close prior to fulltransient pressure dissipation through pushing the turbine) closes andthe turbine (500) stops. Or, without the optional check valve (504), thetransient pressures continue to turn the turbine body (500) and driveshaft (503) until the transient pressures no longer have sufficientstrength to turn the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503). At that time,whatever transient pressures are left are quickly dissipated in thepressure drive conduit (11).

When the next pressure transient set is produced in the pressure driveconduit (11), the drive vanes (502) are again driven away from thepressure drive conduit (11) flow path (507) turning the turbine (500)and drive shaft (503) while the optional outlet check valve (504) againopens and allows liquid to expel from the turbine (500) and its vanes(502). The turbine (500) inlet, outlet, and outlet check valve (504) canbe constructed at any location around the circumference of the turbineso that the locations are not limited to that shown in the FIG. 3( a)diagram, but rather should be constructed in the most efficient andconvenient location for the particular application of the invention.

The “ram turbine” invention and process can additionally be made tofunction in replacement of the “ram piston” unit (15 a of FIG. 2( a)) inthe claim 3 process (FIG. 2) in one of two ways. If the optional checkvalve (504) is used, it can be set or designed to close at a high enoughpressure to stop the flow through the turbine and cause transientpressure backflow back up the pressure conduit (11 of FIG. 2( a)) thatwill relieve the pressure on the outflow valve (15 b of FIG. 2) andcause it to reopen and begin a new cycle. In the alternative, theturbine (500) can be suddenly stopped by any means so that remainingtransient pressures will cause backflow back up the pressure conduit (11of FIG. 2( a)) to relieve the pressure on the outflow valve (15 b ofFIG. 2) and cause it to reopen and begin a new cycle.

FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c) are diagrams of the claim 6 rocker-type “ramturbine” invention and process that can be part of the transient liquidpressure drive process component (15 of FIG. 1) and can also function inthe processes of claims 3 and 4 in replacement of the “ram piston” unit(15 a of FIG. 2) as described here. In FIG. 3( b), an enclosedvane/rocker-type turbine (500) is optimally mounted in close proximityand adjacent to the pressure drive conduit (11) flow path (507) (as perclaim 7) and sealed against the sealed housing (501) such that leakageof liquid past or through the turbine (500) and turbine (502) isprevented. As transient pressures are produced in the transientproduction device (15 of FIG. 1) by stopping or substantially slowingthe pressure drive conduit (11) liquid flow, the transient pressurepushes one or more of the drive vanes (502) away from the drive conduitflow path (507) thereby turning the turbine (500) and drive shaft (503)to the position shown in FIG. 3( c) and doing work on any device/thing(not shown) driven by the drive shaft (503) as it turns. As thetransient pressures become dissipated by doing work pushing the turbinevanes (502) and rotating the turbine (500) and turbine drive shaft(503), the work load on the turbine drive shaft (503) from thedevice/thing being driven (not shown) eventually causes the turbine(500) to stop at the position of FIG. 3( c). The rotation direction ofthe turbine (500), vane (502), and drive shaft (503) is then reversed byany means (gravity, mechanical, electrical, or other means) in arocker-type return motion that returns the turbine and vanes backwardsto their original position near the drive conduit (11) without the driveshaft (503) device/thing work load (not shown) to be ready to be drivenby the next transient pressure (the position of FIG. 3( b). The reverserotation of the turbine and vanes (from the position of FIG. 3( c) backto the position of FIG. 3( b)) expels the liquid that pushed the vanes(502) back into the drive conduit (11) and the cycle is ready to beginagain. Though liquid must be expelled by the turbine vanes (503) to thedrive conduit flow path (507), the return rotation from the position ofFIG. 3( c) to the position of FIG. 3( b) requires less work because nodevice/thing work load is applied to, or driven by, the drive shaft(503) during the return.

In this process, as with claim 4, the work load of the device/thing (notshown) directly or indirectly driven by the “ram turbine” drive shaft(503) is maximized and matched with vane (502) travel distance toproduce maximum work while requiring minimum expulsion of liquid backout of the turbine housing (501) into the drive conduit (11) during thereturn rotation of the “ram turbine” assembly (500, 502, 503) as itreturns to its original position (FIG. 3( b). Minimizing the amount ofliquid that needs to be expelled back into the drive conduit (11) anddrive conduit flow path (507) on the return rotation increases energyand liquid efficiencies because it reduces and minimizes the volume offlow required to reach the desired maximum pressure drive conduit (11)flow velocity in the drive conduit flow path (507) for producing thenext set of pressure transients in the next cycle.

As with claim 5, the claim 6 rocker-type modification of the “ramturbine” invention and process (FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c)) can be adapted tothe claims 1 and 2 processes by adding the temperature and heatmaintenance device component (13 of FIG. 1) and return component (12 ofFIG. 1) for restoring and maintaining the liquid thermal properties andattaining the greatest work/energy and liquid efficiencies. Also, theclaim 6 rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and process (FIGS. 3( b) and3(c)) can additionally be made to function in replacement of the “rampiston” unit (15 a of FIG. 2( a)) in the claims 3 and 4 processes (FIG.2). The rocker-type “ram turbine” (FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c)) hydraulicallyfunctions basically in the same way as described for the “ram piston”unit (15 a) and operates in similar reciprocating back and forth action.That action alternately receives transient pressurized liquid into theturbine housing (501) while doing work and expels pressure dissipatedliquid back to the drive conduit (11) in reciprocal motion to and fromthe positions of FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c) in like manner to the claims 3 and4 “ram piston” unit (15 a) reciprocal processes. That reciprocal returnmotion pushing liquid back into the drive conduit from the rocker-type“ram turbine” can also cause the backflow that opens the outflow valve(15 b of FIG. 2) for incorporation into the claim 3 process.

I claim the benefit of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632 filed by RonaldKurt Christensen, inventor, on Dec. 21, 2009.

1. Corresponding to claim 1 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a highwork/energy and liquid efficiency process for producing continuing work(as defined in physics and having the same measurement units asenergy—termed herein and throughout simply as “work”) from liquidtransient pressures produced in a flowing liquid filled and confinedpressure system or conduit; the process consisting of: (a) a liquidsource component that provides the liquid for the process; (b) apressure drive conduit component that confines and conveys the liquidfrom the source at a velocity under pressure to a transient pressuredrive device, or for some processes, a simply liquid source conveyancecomponent that conveys the liquid from the source to the transientpressure drive device component; (c) a transient pressure drive devicecomponent that creates transient pressures in the confined liquid in thetransient pressure device and, if applicable, in the pressure driveconduit component and does work using the high or low transient liquidpressures created; (d) any thing that is worked upon or driven by thetransient pressure drive device (the driven device/thing component); (e)a liquid outflow conveyance component that conveys the liquid exitingthe transient pressure drive device to a temperature and heatmaintenance system or device; (f) a temperature and heat maintenancesystem or device component that restores and maintains a consistentefficient operating temperature and heat content range for the liquid;and (g) a return component that returns all or part of the liquid to theliquid source. Each process component can consist of any configurationor construction that can accomplish the purpose of the particularprocess component. Process components (a), (b), and (c) (the liquidsource, pressure drive conduit/source conveyance, and transient pressuredrive device components) repeatedly stop, slow, or disrupt the liquidflow velocity creating transient high or low pressures in the liquidthat are made to do work, and then restart or restore the liquid flowvelocity in repeating and continuing cycles of stopping, slowing, ordisrupting the liquid flow, doing work from the transient pressurescreated, and then restarting or restoring the flow to its originalmaximum velocity for the start of the next repeating transient high orlow pressure producing cycle (if cyclic). For some pressure driveprocesses, (c), such as those that disrupt the flow causing transientpressures by turning or partially obstructing the liquid flow, ratherthan cyclically stopping or slowing and restarting the flow, a pressuredrive conduit for component (b) may not be needed, but only a conveyancesystem of any description that conveys the liquid from the liquid sourcecomponent to the transient pressure drive component, (c). Processcomponent (d), the driven device/thing component (device/thing meaningherein and throughout any machine, tool, mechanism, apparatus,appliance, contrivance, contraption, gadget, piece of equipment, or thelike, or any thing, object, mass, material, substance, body of mass,material, or substance, or the like), consists of anything being workedupon or driven by the combined operation of process components (a), (b),and (c). Process components (e), (f), and (g) (the liquid outflowconveyance, the temperature and heat maintenance system or device, andthe return components) act to receive and convey the liquid flow andrestore its temperature and heat content for continuing work/energyefficiency and liquid efficiency purposes. In particular, the transientpressure drive process component can consist of any configuration orconstruction that performs two functions together, or in separate units,to: (1) produce repeating high or low liquid transient pressures in theliquid flow in the drive device and pressure drive conduit component inany manner, such as stopping, slowing, turning the liquid flowdirection, partially obstructing the flow, or any other manner, and (2)cause the high or low transient pressurized liquid to drive (drivemeaning herein and throughout to operate, push, pull, compress, expand,impel, propel, thrust, move, or otherwise do work on) a device/thingdirectly or indirectly driven by the transient pressure drive devicecomponent. The temperature and heat maintenance system or device processcomponent can consist of any configuration or construction that can,from the surroundings or otherwise, actively or passively restore,adjust, maintain, or bring the liquid temperature and heat content towithin a consistent temperature and heat range to maintain continuingproduction of efficient work done by the transient pressure drivecomponent process and device. The range can be most any temperature orheat content range as determined by the liquid properties, and by thetype, temperature, and heat range of the energy source that is used forthe temperature and heat maintenance device component. The importantcomponent function to maintain continued work efficiency and productionis to restore and maintain sufficiently consistent liquid temperaturesand heat content in the returning liquid to achieve consistent andcontinued work production from transient pressures produced in thetransient pressure drive device component. Process components (a), (b),(c), (e), and (g) above can also function as part of the temperature andheat maintenance component system so that in some process applications aseparate temperature and heat maintenance system or device component,(f), may not be needed if sufficient heat exchange occurs from thesurroundings or otherwise with respect to the other process componentsto restore, adjust, and maintain consistent, continuing, and efficientliquid thermal and transient pressure operating conditions. If not, thenthe temperature and heat maintenance component, (f), is claimed asrequired in the process because temperature and heat restoration,adjustment and maintenance is essential and required in the claimedprocess for producing consistent and efficient continuing work fromliquid pressure transients. The claimed process requires that sufficientactive or passive liquid temperature and heat maintenance must beaccomplished in the process components as a whole to restore or maintaina consistent range of efficient liquid temperatures and heat content asthe liquid enters into the pressure drive conduit and transient pressuredrive device components to be caused to do work, or to maintain theenvironment if the liquid is eventually released to the environment. Theliquid source and temperature and heat maintenance components, coupledwith conveyance components (such as (e) and (g) above) that conveyliquid to and from them as needed or desired, are interchangeable inposition in the process and can be upstream or downstream of each otherdepending upon a particular application need. The liquid returncomponent can return the liquid directly to the pressure drive conduitcomponent bypassing the liquid source component, if desired. Or, theliquid return component may be omitted if liquid conservation is notneeded in a process application. But if so, and the liquid is releasedfrom the process to the surrounding environment, the temperature andheat maintenance component are claimed as a process component that canbe used for liquid temperature restoration and maintenance forenvironmental protection, restoration, or enhancement upon release afterthe liquid is caused to do work.
 2. A high work/energy efficiency andliquid efficiency continuing work process for the process of claim 1wherein the hydraulics, design, and operations of the liquid source,pressure drive conduit and transient pressure drive device componentsare constructed, designed, or otherwise fashioned to minimize the liquidflow volume required to reach efficient maximum flow velocities in thepressure drive conduit and/or transient pressure drive device componentafter the flow is stopped or slowed and restarted in the transientpressure drive device component—those efficient drive flow maximumvelocities being within an optimum range wherein any lower maximumvelocity or any higher maximum velocity appreciably reduces work orenergy efficiency from that achieved within the optimum range. Thatoptimum work/energy and liquid efficiency range varies for a givensystem or process depending on the system hydraulics and processcharacteristics. The work/energy efficiency is a function of the amountof work/energy expended versus the amount of work done to drive anydevice/thing. The energy expended is directly related to the volume ofliquid flow that occurs from the time the flow first starts (or firstbegins to increase) to the time the flow is stopped (or slowed) toproduce high transient pressures. The velocity of that flow increasesnear asymptotically toward the steady state velocity. At first the flowvelocity increases rapidly to near the steady state velocity with theremaining velocity increase toward the steady state velocity occurringmore gradually over a comparative much longer period of time. Meanwhile,energy is expended to cause the liquid flow. Since the magnitude of atransient pressure resulting from the stopping (or slowing) of a liquiddepends on the magnitude of the liquid flow velocity, the greatesttransient pressure work process efficiency is achieved if the flow isstopped (or slowed) after the rapid increase in velocity while flowvolume is low compared to the flow velocity that is reached. Allowingthe flow to continue thereafter decreases work efficiency because theflowing liquid merely expends energy while achieving little comparativegain in the amount of work that can be done by transient pressures whenthe liquid flow is stopped (or slowed).
 3. Corresponding to claim 2 ofProvisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a high efficiency work/energy processand invention for a transient pressure drive process that embodies amodification and adaptation of a typical ram pumping process to create a“ram piston” work process and invention. As with a typical ram pumpprocess, the invention and process include a hydraulically or liquiddriven alternately opening and closing outflow valve, of any descriptionor configuration connected near the downstream end of a pressure driveconduit, that opens in response to low pressure at the valve and closesin response to higher pressure and liquid flow drag in the valve as inany typical ram pumping process. But, the invention and processmodification and adaptation replaces the check valve, the air chamber,and outlet conduit through which liquid would be pumped in a ram pumpingprocess with a piston (the “ram piston”) within a cylinder. The pistonis positioned within a cylinder that is connected to the pressure driveconduit and has lower pressure in the cylinder on the opposite side ofthe piston from the pressure drive conduit. The piston is constructed toseal off and block the escape of the drive liquid past the piston to thelower pressure side. When transient pressures are produced in thepressure drive conduit upon the hydraulic closing of the outflow valve,this sealed piston construction increases work efficiency and output asthe transient pressures drive the piston outward toward the low pressureend of the cylinder and the piston does work upon any device/thingconnected to, or otherwise driven by it. If desired, the invention andprocess can be incorporated into the claim 1 or claim 2 processes. Thepiston and cylinder can be of any size, but generally a larger cylinderand piston is more powerful and thus usually more efficient. Finally,work/energy efficiency can be improved by providing higher liquid sourcepressures into the pressure drive conduit, the “ram piston,” and outflowvalve if sufficiently low flow volumes can be achieved through theoutflow valve to minimize lost or used energy.
 4. Corresponding to claim2 of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a high efficiency work/energyprocess and invention for the transient pressure drive component for theclaims 1 and 2 processes that embodies a further modification of the“ram piston” invention and process of claim 3 by: (1) replacing thehydraulically driven/operated outflow valve of the “ram piston”transient pressure drive process of claim 3 with any transient pressureproducing device such as mechanically or electrically driven valve, orthe like, and (2) controlling in any manner the work load of thedevice/thing and the timing of the valve operation or other pressuretransient production device to maximize work output and minimize energyloss and liquid loss. As in claim 3, after the piston is driven outwardin the cylinder by transient pressure, the liquid that has entered thecylinder in driving the piston is expelled or exhausted directly backinto the pressure drive conduit from which it came by the returnmovement of the piston. The greater the work load driven by the piston,the lesser the travel distance of the piston will be and the lesser theliquid volume that must be expelled from the cylinder, and thus, thegreater will be the work/energy and liquid efficiencies. Further, theclaimed process and invention is comprised of minimal elements andmoving parts for ease of construction, reduced cost, and ease andreliability of operation. The process and invention has no intermediatepiping, conduits, controls, or valving that must direct the transientpressure to the cylinder and “ram piston.” But, rather the piston andcylinder are directly connected for: (1) maximum drive and workefficiency from the transient pressure, (2) reduced cost, and (3)greater reliability through reduced opportunity for malfunctions fromplugging or sticking of valves or plugging of conduits. Again, thepiston and cylinder can be of any size, but generally a larger cylinderand piston is more powerful and thus usually more efficient. Work/energyefficiency can be improved by higher liquid source pressures into thepressure drive conduit, the “ram piston” and outflow valve if the flowvolume through the outflow valve can be minimized by the system design.5. A high efficiency work/energy process and invention that includes aconstruction of a “ram turbine” which is comprised of an enclosed vaneturbine, water wheel, or other enclosed blade or fin-type turbinewherein transient pressure produced by any downstream device drives thevanes, blades, or fins (herein and throughout the application calledvanes) of the enclosed turbine. The turbine vanes are constructed toseal against the turbine housing so that transient pressurized liquiddoes not escape past the vanes as the liquid drives the turbine. Thetransient pressurized liquid drives and turns the turbine by pushing thevanes and expelling liquid under lower pressure through an outlet and anoptional check valve connected to the outlet. The check valve can bothact to prevent reverse flow, if needed, and to maintain a minimumpressure needed to force liquid through the valve and thereby needed tooperate the turbine. The sealed construction acts to prevent liquid fromescaping through the enclosed turbine without driving the turbine vanesso that the transient pressure drives the turbine with higher efficiencyand force and greater work output is achieved. To force liquid out ofthe turbine outlet, the turbine vanes are constructed such that theyretract or bend over to expel liquid out the turbine outlet. Theturbine, vanes can be of any size, but generally the greater the surfacearea of the vanes the more powerful the “ram turbine” and thus usuallythe more efficient. Finally, work/energy efficiency can be improved byhigher liquid source pressures into the pressure drive conduit and the“ram turbine” if the cycle flow volume can be minimized by the systemdesign. The “ram turbine” invention and process can be adapted tooperate and function in any of the processes of claims 1 through
 4. Inthe processes of claims 1 and 2, the “ram turbine” invention and processfunctions as part of the transient pressure drive device component. Inthe processes of claims 3 and 4, the “ram piston” is replaced by the“ram turbine” and the process of driving the turbine is essentially thesame except that the liquid that drives the turbine is not expelled backor returned to the pressure drive conduit through backward flow out ofthe turbine, but is forced through the turbine and out of the downstreamturbine outlet and optional check valve. The liquid exiting the turbineoutlet and optional check valve is either returned to the source by anymeans or is released to the surrounding environment and conveyed awayfrom the “ram turbine” invention by any means. In adaptation to theclaim 3 process, wherein the transient pressure producing device is ahydraulically operated outflow valve, the check valve on the turbineoutlet operates to cause hydraulic reopening of the outflow valve byclosing and causing backflow back up the pressure drive conduit.
 6. Ahigh efficiency work/energy process and invention that modifies andconverts the design and operation of the “ram turbine” of claim 5 into arocker-type “ram turbine.” The “ram turbine” is modified to eliminatethe outlet check valve and any downstream conveyance connected to theoutlet so that the outlet or downstream side of the turbine opens to theatmosphere. The turbine is also modified so that it only has sufficientvanes to cause the turbine to turn without expelling liquid through theturbine while the vanes are being pushed by transient pressures. As thetransient pressures dissipate to the point where the pressure can nolonger turn the turbine, the turbine stops. The direction of the turbinerotation is reversed by any means (mechanically, electrically, bygravity or other means) and the turbine vanes rotate back to theiroriginal position to be ready to be pushed by the next set of transientpressures. As the turbine rotates back, the vanes push and expel thedrive liquid back out of the turbine housing and back into driveconduit. The motion of the turbine, its vanes, and its drive shaft thusbecomes a back and forth rocker-type motion that in one direction drivesany device/thing connected directly or indirectly to the turbine driveshaft and then resets and rotates back in the opposite direction withoutdoing work on the device/thing so that the turbine vanes are more easilyrotated back to their original position to be ready to be pushed anddriven again. As with claim 5, the sealed vane and turbine housingconstruction acts to prevent liquid from escaping through the enclosedturbine without driving the turbine vanes so that the transient pressuredrives the turbine with higher efficiency and force and greater workoutput is achieved. But, because there is no full rotation, the vanes donot need to retract or bend against the housing. The construction andoperation of the rocker-type “ram turbine” is therefore simpler withless chance of plugging and blade malfunction. However, as with the “rampiston” the drive liquid is expelled back into the drive conduit withthe return or backward movement of the turbine and its vanes. So, aswith the claim 4 “ram piston,” generally the greater the work loaddriven by the turbine, the lesser the turbine vane travel distance and,in turn, the lesser the liquid volume that must be expelled back fromthe turbine to the drive conduit, and thus, the greater will be thework/energy and liquid efficiencies. The turbine, vanes can be of anysize, but generally the greater the surface area of the vanes the morepowerful the “ram turbine” and thus usually the more efficient.Work/energy efficiency can also be improved by higher liquid sourcepressures into the pressure drive conduit and the “ram turbine” if thecycle flow volume can be minimized by the system design. The rocker-type“ram turbine” invention and process can be adapted to operate andfunction in any of the processes of claims 1 through
 4. In the processesof claims 1 and 2, the rocker-type “ram turbine” invention and processfunctions as part of the transient pressure drive device component. Inthe processes of claims 3 and 4, the “ram piston” is replaced by therocker-type “ram turbine” and the process of driving the turbine isessentially the same as for a “ram piston.”
 7. Corresponding to claim 5of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, a higher efficiency work processwhere the “ram piston” of claims 3 and 4, or the “ram turbine” of claims5 and 6, is constructed and operated in the process such that the pistonor turbine vanes are positioned immediately adjacent to the flow path ofthe flowing liquid so that each time a transient pressure is produced inthe flowing liquid the piston or turbine receives the full force of thepressure transient to do work.
 8. Corresponding to claim 6 ofProvisional Patent No. 61/284,632 An additional higher work efficiencyprocess for the processes and inventions of 1 through 7 wherein thedevice/thing driven by the transient pressure drive device is directlyor indirectly connected such that the device/thing exerts its maximumwork load upon the transient pressure drive device each time thepressure transient is first produced and first begins to drive thetransient pressure drive device. The transient pressure is therebycaused to do maximum work on the transient pressure drive device, and inturn, the transient pressure drive device drives and does maximum workupon the device/thing directly or indirectly connected to, and beingdriven, by the pressure drive device.
 9. Corresponding to claim 1 ofProvisional Patent No. 61/284,632, an additional higher work and liquidefficiency invention and process for the claimed processes andinventions of claims 1 through 6 such that all components and inventionsdescribed in claims 1 through 6 may be made of any materials that canwithstand the pressures and movements to which they are subjected andthat will not be unduly corroded or damaged by the liquid used. Butthat, the more rigid (incompressible and inelastic) the materials usedfor the pressure drive conduit component and the transient pressuredrive device component, the higher the transient pressures and workoutput will be and the greater will be the work/energy production andefficiency of each process and invention.
 10. Corresponding to claim 8of Provisional Patent No. 61/284,632, the high efficiency processes andinventions of claims 1 through 9 can be constructed and operated asmultiple processes and inventions in any combination in parallel(adjacent process systems and/or inventions working separately ortogether to do work) and/or in series (downstream processes and/orinventions receiving liquid inflow from the outflow of upstreamprocesses working separately or together to do work).